Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-29
Commencement Exercises at the Virginia.
Military Institute.


Military Institute.
The last was the closing week of the ses-
sion. and of the usual exercises and military
display at the Virginia Military Institute.
The Board of Visitors were in session be-
fore and during that week, and made a
thorough examination into all the affairs of
the Institute and pronounced it in a fine
condition. The Board were able to add
something to the pay of the professors in
the future which had been cut down during
past years.
Gen. Smith, the founder of the Institute,
and who, as Superintendent and Professor,
has had charge since that time-November
1SS9-has completed valuable work which
has engaged his heart as we'll as his mind,
the compilation of complete register,
with brief historic sketches of every grad
uate, commencing with the first graduating
class in 1S42,-the number being about
seven hundred. 1t is said the book will
contain about Eve hundred pages. No one
else could have made this valuable contri-
button to history, which is work of great
interest not only to Virginia, but to all the
country. The manuscript is ready, and il
is hoped the Board of Visitors will be able,
in short time, to see their way clear to
publish this volume.
On the 23rd, Colonel Scott Ship, who
succeeded Colonel William Gillian in 1851
as commandant Of the corps, had his COM
mand out in elegant trim for a thorough
drill in artillery and infantry tactics and
exercise. All the evolutions with the bat
terry and infantry in action were executed
with precision, and awakened in a lively
manner the memories of the old veterans
of war times as they never had been since
those memorable years. The corps after
wards passed in review before the Board Of
Visitors.
The members of the Alumni were pres
emit in full force. The annual meeting, at
which Major James B. Dorman presided,
was held that evening, after which the
reunion, with grand entertainment, took
place in the Mess-Hall, over which Colonel
Edmund Pendleton, a graduate of the first
class QS42) presided. The usual teasts
were offered and appropriately responded
to.
At subsequent meeting, W. W. Elan
nagan, of New York, was made President
E. NJ. Pendleton, of Lexington, Secretary
W. T. Shields, of Lexington, Treasurer
and Robert D. Yancey, of Lynchburg,
Alumni orator for 1888.
A committee was appointed to select 8
lite and to have erected thereon suitable
monument to the memory of the alumni
who fell in battle.
The exercises were closed on the Oath, Of
which the following is brief summary =
At IL A. NJ, the corps of cadets assem-
bled on the parade, ground and we're march
ed to the mess-hall under command of Col
Ship, where the graduation exercises took
place. After prayer by Rev. DR.. Quarles
of Washington and Lee University, Gen.
Smith, Superintendent, announced the
several class distinctions and delivered di'
plomas to the following members of the
graduating class E. B. Dubusson, Louis.
lana L. W. Re id, Virginia G. T. Gwath.
mey, Virginia T. Terry, Virginia L. S.
Thompson, Ohio T. T. Hubbard, Vir
ginia H. Il. Trundle, Virginia ; Fl. P
Webb, Virginia W. E. Barrett, Virginia
R. T. Goodwin, Virginia; J. G. Niche
Virginia; W. B. Corse, Virginia; W. w
Brander, Virginia; W. Dickinson, Wes'
Virginia; ]. M. Redfield, New York; D
Flanagan, New York; w. S. Crockett
Virginia; r. c. George, Texas; T. P
Greenhow, Virginia; T. G. Amiss, Vir
ginia.
The following degrees were conferred
Civil Engineer-E. B. Dubuisson and l.. s
Thompson. Bachelor of Science-L. W
Reid, G. b. Miller, and R. J. Redfeld.
Cadet G. T. Gwathmey, of Virginia, OF
behalf of the graduating class, delivered
the usual valedictory address. Cadet Dubu
isson was awarded the first, and Cadet Reid
the second, Jackson-Hope medal. The
presentation speeches were made by Judge
Ward, of Abingdon, member of the
Board of Visitors. Colonel Lawrence
Marye, of Lynchburg, and General T. T
Munford, of the Board of Visitors, address
ed the members of the first class in words
of sound wisdom and practical advice
Upon the conclusion of General Munford'l
remarks the corps were marched back to
the parade ground, and after being drawn
up in line Colonel Ship read the following
promotions, to take effect upon the relief O
the first class: First Captain, s. K. Owens
Virginia; Second Captain, s. B. Walker
Virginia; Adjutant, V. W. Flomeree, Mis-
sissippi; Quartermaster, N. B. Tucker
Virginia; First Lieutenant, R. R. Kane
Virginia; Second Lieutenant, W. B. Czech
ran, Virginia; Third Lieutenant, C. P
Fenner, Louisiana; Fourth Lieutenant, s.
M. Smith, Virginia; Fifth Lieutenant, G.
Williams, Alabama; Sixth Lieutenant, H.
P. Baya, Florida.
The band then played "Auld Lang Syne''
and the ranks were broken.
General Smith gave handsome recep.
ton to the Board of Visitors and the visit.
ing alumni.
The grand ball in honor of the graduates
came off at night in the lness-hall, which
was beautifully and artisticaly decorated.
Gen. Resser and Gen. Early.
Some paper having reported Gen. Kosser
as having said that Gen. Early should have
been hanged for burning Chambersburg
during the war, Gen. Early wrote very
severe reply in which he handled Gen: Ros-